Trial opens in 2011 fatal Fairhaven hit-and-run

Wednesday

May 21, 2014 at 12:01 AMMay 21, 2014 at 5:42 AM

In powerful opening day testimony, Joel Brienzo, the brother of hit-and-run accident victim Katelyn Brienzo, told jurors how he found his sister's body, minutes after a 2011 crash on Sconticut Neck Road.

CURT BROWN

FALL RIVER — In powerful opening day testimony, Joel Brienzo, the brother of hit-and-run accident victim Katelyn Brienzo, told jurors Tuesday how he found his sister's body, minutes after a 2011 crash on Sconticut Neck Road, Fairhaven.

The 28-year-old marine mechanic said he was leaving a family dinner near the accident scene at 151 Sconticut Neck Road about 5:20 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2011, when he heard the crash, but did not see it.

He told the Superior Court jury how he called 911 and tried to save his sister's life. He also said that he initially thought her boyfriend, Ellery Reynolds, of New Bedford, who was with her and bleeding heavily from a gash to the forehead, was dead, as well.

His testimony came in the trial of Renee Andrews, 37, of Fairhaven, charged with leaving the scene in her 2008 Toyota Highlander after hitting Brienzo and Reynolds as they were crossing Sconticut Neck Road in a crosswalk.

Andrews is charged with motor vehicle homicide, leaving the scene of personal injury and/or death, leaving the scene of personal injury and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

A jury of seven men and seven women listened as Joel Brienzo described a frantic effort to revive his sister. He said he could not find a pulse and called his family and told them Katelyn had been struck by a vehicle and was dead.

He said Katelyn's shoes were in the middle of the crosswalk and her glasses, keys and earrings were in the road.

Katelyn was born with Turner's Syndrome, a chromosomal abnormality that affected various aspects of her development. But that didn't keep her from becoming an eloquent spokeswoman for disabled rights.

Her brother said she graduated from Fairhaven High School and was working at Market Basket in New Bedford.

Her personality was "dynamic and explosive," he said. "You knew if she was in this room," he said.

Brienzo said at the accident scene, Reynolds repeatedly asked about Katelyn and tried to get up and look for her, despite his head injury. Brienzo said he had to mislead him to calm him, telling him Katelyn was fine and was sitting nearby.

The trial recessed at 4 p.m. before defense attorney Shane Carlsen had a chance to question the witness.

The trial will resume at 9 a.m. today in Superior Court. The jury is scheduled to view the accident scene today.